Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that almost 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers holed up in Mariupol’s Azovstal steelworks have surrendered so far. 

"At the moment, 1,908 people have laid down their arms. Let me remind you that before that, 1,387 marines laid down their arms there," the minister said at a military board meeting.

He added that 177 civilians, including 47 children, were rescued from the  Azovstal area in Mariupol. 

The Ukrainian side has not yet responded to Russia's claims.